There is a very common saying when it comes to planning weddings which is, “it’s your day”. While that is true, there can be a lot of pressure to make other people happy. At this point in my photography journey I have seen a lot of couples tackle this very delicate subject. Here are a few ideas that you can consider incorporating to your big day to add your own flavour to the day:
Elopements and Micro Weddings
If we learned one thing in 2020 it was that less is more. The COVID weddings I was a part of might not have been what the bride and groom initially planned and envisioned, however, the pressure valve gets turned way down. Instead of a day full of rushing and keeping up with different schedules the day is relaxed.
The Jewish Tradition: Ketubah
The not sexy time of the ceremony is signing the wedding license. So instead let’s learn from the Jewish faith.
The first Jewish wedding I was ever a part of I fell in love with the tradition of signing the Ketubah. I had never heard of this before! I took photos as the couple signed this gorgeous document they had been done up to be displayed in their new marital home. It was the couple, the rabbi and their two witnesses and I absolutely loved it. This left the ceremony to flow much better and allowed the couple to enjoy a moment to themselves prior to the ceremony.
Floral Time
Ok my friends, time for some brutal honesty. There has yet to be a groom I meet that handles the boutonniere well. Either there’s not enough pins to hold it on properly, a seatbelt takes it out or they are forgotten all together. Why spend on what will be wasted? Moral of the story is: take a hard look at what flowers you would like to have and would enjoy and be honest with your partner.
After the wedding, take a moment to think about what you would like done with your flowers. I’ve seen some beautiful and heart-warming ideas between donating the flowers to a retirement home nearby, allowing guests to take some home or preserving the flowers in a special way.
First Dance Variations
Remember seventh grade dances when you were either waiting for someone to ask you to dance or dancing sever feet away from a guy you only liked because he had the best hockey wings in the class? Stress no more because you’ve got your dance partner for life! I’ve got two first dance variations depending on how you and your partner feel:
Like being the centre of attention: after you are pronounced as married, jump right into your first dance! You’ve got everyone’s attention since they were just watching you get married and helps solidify the moment at the ceremony. Bonus, if you have a beautiful view or decor at the ceremony, they will be included in your first dance photos!
Not a fan of being the centre of attention: first and foremost, think of how long the song you choose is. 4+ minutes starts to feel VERY long when you’re dancing in front of people. If you still don’t want the spotlight on you, ask your MC or DJ to invite other married couples to the dance floor once the first minute of your song is done. This is a great way to divide the attention while still celebrating!
If you’ve got something unique and fun planned for your wedding I would love to hear about it! Let me know in the comments below.
